Terrified, Matted Pup Gets Happy Ending: Diamond’s Before and After

Last year in Texas, a scared little white pup named Diamond arrived at the City of Abilene’s municipal shelter. She was dirty, painfully matted and very scared. No one knew it at the time, but she was also deaf.

If Diamond had arrived at the shelter a year earlier, she may never have found her happy ending. But the folks who work at the City of Abilene shelter are especially dedicated and strongly committed to saving animals’ lives. Naturally, they jumped at the chance to take part in the ASPCA’s Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project, unveiled in September.

Part of the ASPCA Animal Relocation Initiative, the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project helps cash-strapped municipal shelters like Abilene’s relocate dogs to off-site adoption programs, rescues or private shelters by providing municipal shelters $50 per dog placed. That money can be spent on vet care for an animal, transportation of the pet, or on anything else that will help move the animal out of the shelter.

For Diamond, this program was a godsend. Abilene was able to use the Petrie subsidy to move her to The Pawed Squad rescue. After a desperately needed grooming, Diamond revealed herself to be an adorable little Bichon Frise! She also came out of her shell and showed she would make a wonderful companion.

Soon after rescuing Diamond, the Pawed Squad was able to place her in a loving home that cherishes her every day. Her deafness was never an issue for these awesome adopters.

Congratulations to Abilene, The Pawed Squad rescue and Diamond’s happy family. We’re so glad the Carroll Petrie Foundation Dog Rescue Project is changing lives like hers and thousands of others.

After my precious Molly died I was paying off the bills we got for her care and didn't get another dog in order to catch up ($5,000 over a two yr. period.) I'm moving to FL. soon and hope to foster dogs. Belve it or not that's one reason I'm buying a home and not buying a condo. Kuddo's to all who help. Diamond looks adorable and deserves a good life.

What a remarkable story! Keep up the good work for our beloved friends. I will keep my part in supporting these animals like Diamond. Happy to be a part of your orginazation. They need us, so I thank you guys for your commitment.

What a great ending for a precious animal. As a mother of 3 shelter dogs, I have one thing to say...SHELTER DOGS ROCK!!!!! Over the years I have adopted a total of 6 shelter dogs and 3 shelter cats and have NEVER had any problems with any of them or ever regretted taking on the task. Shelter animals really do realize how lucky they are and they are the most loving animals in the world. My Only regret is that I don't have unlimited funds to help all the shelter pets everywhere. I have learned that, even though you may not have the finances to adopt a pet, you can still be an IMMENSLEY VALUABLE ASSET by reporting animal abuse every time, by picking up strays who you might find in your yard and take just a moment to look up the number of an animal rescue group who would gladly take the animal and provide shelter and eventually find a home for it. Rescue Groups are SERIOUS and PASSIONATE about what they do and they will respond immediately to a call for help for an abandoned animal and you can feel good that you made that small effort to help an animal that is helpless to help itself. Another way you can help is to encourage everyone you know to spay or neuter their pets to prevent homeless, helpless situations for all pets.
THANK GOD FOR THE ASPCA, HSUS AND ALL PET RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS EVERYWHERE, YOU WILL BE REWARDED!!!!!!

I am grateful and thankful to see so many caring people out there taking the time to think first about how they can help and contribute in some way. Obviously, not everyone can contribute monetarily, but collectively we can all do so much. Every one of us has a talent, a gift, or yes, perhaps some money - even the smallest gift counts. Don't give up - keep up your good works and thoughts on behalf of those that cannot speak out for themselves. Dogs and cats need you, but so too do many other types of furry critters who languish in horrible conditions (fur industry, farm animals, government, pharmacutical and university laboratories). Continue to be their advocates and their heros!